House Commission

Still trying to break through the longest lasting "block" I've ever experienced. I've devolved into such a "survival" mode that motivation tends to come from a client deadline, and the just-in-time check, instead of the creative passion and self confidence that used to make painting so easy & satisfying. Time is running out...hope "it" comes back soon! Thanks for looking.

Girl in a Hat

9 X 12 oil on panel. Fairly happy with this one. This is based on a photo of one of the models from the Peggi Kroll Roberts workshop Larry went to this past summer... It's damn hard to paint during a slump...a persistent slump. The End.

First Piano Lesson

Probably not, but Mom really was a piano teacher, and Nancy really did take piano lessons eventually. So did I. I don't know if Walt did or not, but he broke the leg off the piano bench, I think. We were all grounded for it because we all said we didn't do it. All I know is I didn't and Nancy wouldn't lie (right Nancy?)...so you do the math.

I painted this for my sister in appreciation, love & admiration for making sure Mom & Dad have/had a comfortable and loving elderlyhood. I hope she can stay around long enough to take care of me, too. Ha Ha Ha....put that piano leg down!!!!!

oil on 9 X 12 panel

Terry in Venice

This painting is from a Davidson Singers Italy Tour photo of Terry McCormick, soprano supremo, in the lobby of (I think) Hotel Giorgione, reading a Venice publication. oil on 9X12 panel.

New Work in Progress

These are a few of far too many paintings in various stages of completion. The first is from a photo I took in Key West. I need to finish the sky & do some minor refinements, then call it a "learning piece". (oil 9X12") I am working on a series of "City Umbrellas"...(the first a couple of posts ago). The mushy area just under the umbrella, looks rubbed out because it is under construction. (oil 9X12") The 3rd painting "say cheese" is also from my trip to Key West. Some obvious refinements and the camera yet to do...(oil 6X8") The sailboat on Manhasset Bay is a miniature (2X3") canvas. I will repost finished paintings if they are completed before I expire. Thank you for looking!

Across the street (7th Ave.) from Borders Bookstore and Penn Station at Madison Square Garden in NYC on a rainy day. Not sure if it's done yet, so it probably is. I keep trying to find that magical mystical sweet spot point of completion in oil painting, but I guess it's like trying to figure out what it's like to die. I suppose when I discover the answer to one, I'll have the answer to the other as well.
Oil on 8" X 16" panel.

Beach Baby Daddy

I caught this wonderful shot of a young dad(?) holding his baby daughter(?) while gazing out to sea; Jones Beach, Long Island. This was a "timed" piece for me in an attempt to loosen up...took approx. 3 hours. oil on 9 X 12 canvas panel.

On the way to Stresa

I snapped this photo out of the bus window on our way to Stresa and Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. What I wouldn't give to be on that bus right now for so many reasons! Unfortunately, the image didn't capture brush stroke detail and color nuances that make this painting nice if I do say so myself. Thanks for looking. oil on 24" X 18" canvas panel.

David's Birthday Cake

This is from a photo taken this past April while visiting Virginia Davidson in Florida. We were celebrating her son David's birthday at her home in Winterhaven, just one of many wonderful memories I have of that visit. Oil on 11'X14" panel.

Key West Sunset Reflection

Another oil on 6" X 8" panel from a photo taken while on a dinner cruise off Key West; summer '08 concert tour with Davidson Singers. We passed an island with this barn-like building which glowed in the fiery sunset. Those were some mighty fine times!

Italy Concert Tour 2010

I've decided to try oil painting (again after 30+ years!) since I have to "pastel" in the attic (dust problems), and the attic is not air conditioned. I can paint with oils in the bedroom & have some nice colorful smudges on the bedspread. This painting is "break-through" for me in the literal sense since I've been unable to do anything artistically since sometime in 2008. I am hoping to deliver myself from a career that I dreamed I would retire from with great satisfaction, but instead has left me longing to go back and try something else. Oh well, wah waaaah. Who knows where this will lead...

Virginia's Window

I've been working/not working on this pastel for over almost a year. In fact, it doesn't look like this anymore since I was unhappy with the tree & sort of ERASED! it. This was supposed to be a birthday gift for my friend and voice teacher, founder/conductor of New York Treble Singers & Davidson Singers in NYC, Virginia Davidson...who has moved back to her home town in Florida (but will be back again in May for a 25th anniversary gala performance with NYTS & Davidson Singers). So, unfortunately, this work is far from done...and far from its intended home!

It is the view from a window in her upper west side apartment. One rainy day I was there for a lesson and she called me to the window to see "her tree"; where brick apartment buildings, yellow taxicabs and the metro melee stepped aside to reveal a beautiful, blossoming fruit tree that seemed to glow in the overcast. I snapped a picture with the thought of creating this "view" for her to take with her to Florida. It was a fine idea, which made it vulnerable to my predictable sabotages: procrastination, procrastination, procrastination with a little imposter syndrome thrown in.

May is the new deadline!

Winter Walk in Brookville, NY

Lots of beautiful scenery along Hunt Road in Brookville, Long Island NY. The owner was very obliging as we captured images of several horses in colorful blankets being led back to the stables. This is a 25 X 19" (approx) soft pastel on sanded paper done from one of the photos...begun shortly after my last entry...and completed after a long bout with bronchitis. It's been a long, cold, strange winter; but the spring holds much promise. Thank you for stopping by.

Jones Beach 2

More sketching from my "beach box". It won't be long before I'm adding to my photo collection. I love the ocean...especially off-season.

Jones Beach

Did this just a couple of days ago: pastel on sanded paper approx. 19"x14". I think my work has a whole new "feel" to it since the "threshing" incident, don't you? I know it's put a whole new slant on my perspective of the world. I owe my recovery to all of you! Thank you thank you thank you!

sketchbook 09 II

Obviously, subject matter is very random. Mostly done from photos, at night, in bed, with the TV on, with a candlestick, in the conservatory.

sketchbook 09 I

I've had a serious "block" for over a year...but this past Christmas I received a sketchbook and made a promise to fill it by sketching every day. Slowly, the desire is returning. Even my writing is a bit flat, so maybe that'll pick up too. Enjoy and thanks for looking.

Pastel Portrait

This is a portrait of my voice teacher in NYC. Last year I joined the Great Neck Choral Society, and this is our conductor. She is a remarkable woman who, at 80 years of age, continues to teach, conduct, rehearse and travel with her amateur and professional vocal groups. This portrait will be a gift to her this weekend, honoring her and past conductors and members of GNCS in celebration of it's 50th year. It was the most challenging piece I've ever done, considering it's been nearly a year since I touched my pastels.

Damage Control

Recently, I bought a MacBook Pro so I can take my work with me when I travel, which so far has been nowhere; especially since I can videochat with family members now. Here is a pic of my Mom & sister and some old guy that wandered in during a recent "videovisit".

and thanks for stopping by!

Sunday Morning Sketches

I keep a sketch pad and pencils by the bed in case I think this will be a day I need to sketch before getting up & around...much like when I was pregnant and kept saltines on the nightstand. It helps me deal with mental nausea.